Summary

• TV show couples in on-again, off-again relationships often captivate audiences with their chemistry and personal growth over multiple seasons.
• Complicated romances can make for entertaining storylines that keep viewers invested in the outcome.
• Memorable on-again, off-again couples stand out due to their perseverance in the face of adversity and their ability to highlight love through every phase of life.

Although on-again, off-again relationships are not ones that people strive for in real life, some TV show couples had audiences on the edge of their seats to find out if they'd end up together. Romance is a tried-and-true element of entertainment, with viewers finding themselves fascinated by the character's chemistry and what the future will hold for them when it is done right. TV couples, in particular, are interesting because viewers get to observe their trials, tribulations, and personal growth across multiple seasons.

On-again, off-again relationships happen in some of the best TV characters of all time were part of complicated relationships that were fun to watch.

10 Topanga And Cory From Boy Meets World

Girl Meets World reveals that Cory and Topanga are happily married with children, so their "Will they? Won't they?" situation was well worth it. The two met as children, so it's no surprise that they had a few bumps in the road. They broke up a total of three different times within the span of Boy Meets World over things like being scared of saying "I love you", interest in other people, and losing faith in relationships. What makes this on-again-off-again couple one of the best is that it highlights love through every phase of life and Cory and Topanga come back together even in the face of adversity.

9 Jane And Rafael From Jane The Virgin

This romance was full of twists. From the first kiss they shared years before they got to know one another, to the accidental artificial insemination that brought them back into each other's lives and all the confusion that ensued thanks to the evil international Crime Lord that won't leave them alone, Jane and Rafael were surely fun to follow. In addition to all the wild problems this couple faced, they had normal relationship drama on top of it such as disapproving parents and jealous exes.

When it seemed like things were smooth sailing for them, something surprising would emerge to derail their plans. Jane and Rafael remain one of the best on-again, off-again couples in TV history based on how stacked the odds were against them and how they managed to persevere. This is one of those cases where audiences can't even blame the couple for breaking up and making up, as their situation was so unprecedented.

8 Lorelai And Luke From Gilmore Girls

What made Luke and Lorelai stand out as an on-again-off-again couple is how long viewers knew they were destined for one another. It was evident from the first episode that there was a serious connection between them, so seeing them get together, break up, and get together again put viewers on an emotional rollercoaster. Lorelai and Luke also dated other people during their break-up, adding to the slow burn.

7 Kelly And Ryan From The Office

Although Kelly and Ryan's relationship was quite tumultuous and featured multiple breakups and makeups, it remains a memorable and entertaining part of The Office. Their complicated dynamic was also reflective of real-life relationships, which made it especially captivating. From trying to navigate their long history to balancing their personal and professional dynamic, the couple was faced with several trials and tribulations that allowed them to grow and change as people.

6 Haley And Dylan From Modern Family

What makes Haley and Dylan one of the best and most memorable on-again, off-again couples is getting to see how their relationship progressed from their teenage days to becoming parents. They broke up several times throughout the show, with audiences seeing Haley date multiple other men throughout. During these periods, it seemed like their relationship was done for good so seeing them make their way back to one another and begin such an important chapter, having children, was surprising.

5 Jess And Nick From New Girl

Jess and Nick remain one of the best on-again, off-again couples simply because of the way their relationship began. Seeing them have a strong foundation of friendship and chemistry allowed viewers to root for them and want to see them together, creating satisfaction when they ultimately did. Their relationship was made even more satisfying for viewers because of how they embodied the idea of "opposites attract". With Jess being quirky and a bit naive and Nick being guarded and more mature, the couple balanced each other out. Their breakups were quite sad but resulted in them growing as people and characters, making them stronger when they came back together.

4 Devi And Ben From Never Have I Ever

Devi and Ben's "friends to lovers" dynamic was great to follow. They are initially academic rivals who seemed to despise one another, so seeing their relationship turn from that to mutual respect and love was captivating for audiences. They learn that the things that made them competitive with one another were irable. Both parties went through immense character growth before coming together, allowing viewers to see them happier and healthier when they finally did. The love triangle that Devi was in for most of the show also added to the satisfaction of seeing her choose and be happy with Ben.

3 Meredith And Derek From Grey's Anatomy

Arguably one of the most well-known and beloved TV relationships, Meredith and Derek's on-again, off-again relationship was full of key, redefining moments. Both characters grew as people, learning to let their guard down and accept the love they deserve from one another. The relationship came with hugely dramatic moments like finding out Derek was married when he first met Meredith and seeing whether he'd choose her or his wife, which only added layers of complexity to the couple.

2 Blair And Chuck From Gossip Girl

Blair and Chuck's relationship in Gossip Girl was extremely complicated and seemed doomed from the start, considering they bonded over their mutual love of power and manipulation. This led to things like Chuck trading Blair for a hotel and Blair tricking Chuck into kissing someone else. While their devious tendencies caused them to hurt one another, it also allowed them to understand each other in a way that no one else could. So, despite how messy things got between them, many rooted for them from beginning to end and consider them one of the best parts of Gossip Girl.

1 Rachel And Ross From Friends

Part of what made Friends the TV phenomenon it was and continues to be was Rachel and Ross' on-again, off-again dynamic that spanned the entire show. Viewers never quite knew what to expect from these two, as Ross and Rachel were constantly breaking up and finding their way back to one another. Their relationship was appealing because, like the show in its entirety, it felt natural and realistic. Their problems, like differentiating whether Ross cheated on Rachel or if they were on a break, felt so important to audiences, that they became points of debate and are still talked about to this day.